{"id":7493,"date":"2026-04-29T10:30:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T10:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.angesfinanciers.org\/?p=7493"},"modified":"2026-05-01T15:12:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T15:12:45","slug":"kengo-kuma-adds-arched-entrance-to-angers-cathedral-in-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.angesfinanciers.org\/index.php\/2026\/04\/29\/kengo-kuma-adds-arched-entrance-to-angers-cathedral-in-france\/","title":{"rendered":"Kengo Kuma adds arched entrance to Angers Cathedral in France"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Angers<\/div>\n

Arched\u00a0<\/a>openings<\/a> punctuate<\/span>\u00a0the contemporary entrance of Angers Cathedral in France<\/a>, recently completed by the studio of Japanese architect Kengo Kuma<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Opened earlier this month, the concrete entrance doubles as a gallery to frame and protect the sculptural doorway on the west side of the Angevin Gothic-style cathedral.<\/p>\n

\"Angers
Kengo Kuma has added an arched entrance to Angers Cathedral<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rectangular form is broken by five arches, framing views of the historic sculptures in the doorway. Externally, the arches are wrapped by archivolts \u2013 a series of ornamental bands.<\/p>\n

According to Kengo Kuma and Associates<\/a>, the 21-metre-long structure aims to create “a harmonious dialogue” with the architecture of the medieval building, which was constructed between the 12th and 13th centuries.<\/p>\n

\"Angers
The entrance doubles as a gallery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, the extension has proven controversial, with French newspaper Ouest-France describing it as a “concrete UFO”<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, many locals are torn over whether the addition is an “architectural jewel or a wart”, the paper reported.<\/p>\n

\"Medieval
It frames views of colourful sculptures<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kengo Kuma and Associates revealed its design for the Angers Cathedral gallery in 2021. It was selected in a competition with five entrants<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At the time, the studio said its goal was to “put ourselves in the shoes of the builders of the Middle Ages”.<\/p>\n

\"Angers
It is formed from concrete cast in-situ<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“We wanted to put ourselves in the shoes of the builders of the Middle Ages and to create a regulatory framework, using compasses, thus generating the proportions which lead to unity,” the studio said.<\/p>\n

“It is this technical process that creates a contemporary feeling to the building, while remaining part of the history of architecture.”<\/p>\n

\"Concrete
The sculptures were originally sheltered by a 13th-century canopy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The medieval sculptures, which were added to the building in the 1600s, were rediscovered in 2009 when the cathedral was cleaned.<\/p>\n

Finished in blue, red and yellow tones, they were originally sheltered by an entrance canopy built in the first third of the 13th century, though this was demolished in 1807.<\/p>\n

Kuma’s replacement was originally set to be carved from stone, but the final design used concrete, cast on-site using sand and aggregates sourced from the Loire river basin.<\/p>\n